President Murmu given 'City Key of Honour' in Lisbon

“Namaskar! Madam President. Apka Lisbon me Swagat hai” is how Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas on Monday welcomed President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony to hand over the City Key of Honour, making her honorary citizen of the City of Seven Hills.  The president, who is on a two-day state visit to Portugal, was given a Guard of Honour at the Camara Municipal de Lisboa, the historical building where proclamation of First Republic of Portugal had taken place from its Noble balcony in 1910. She was taken to the Noble Salon where the ceremony to hand over the City Key of Honour took place with the room packed with Indians who had settled there.
Earlier, President Murmu held delegation-level talks with her Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in Lisbon. In a joint media address after the meeting, President Murmu described the India-Portuguese ties as historic, which are now being developed as a modern and multi-dimensional partnership. In the joint statement by the President of India and the President of Portugal after delegation-level talks, both countries have agreed to mutual cooperation in trade and stronger economic relations between the two countries.India and Portugal have agreed to strengthen their partnership in the areas of trade, renewable energy, green hydrogen, IT, start-ups, innovation and skilled mobility. They also agreed to cooperate in the fields of tourism, culture, education, pharmaceuticals and others. Both nations also agreed on coordination and cooperation in the United Nations. They also launched a postage stamps commemorating  50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The stamps reflect the rich artistic and cultural heritage of India and Portugal, and feature vibrant folk attire from both countries: Rajasthan's distinctive Kalbeliya costume, and the traditional Viana do Castelo dress from Portugal.

The visit of the president is coming at a time when India and Portugal are celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, the president will also launch a commemorative stamp showcasing the artistic and cultural heritage that unites India and Portugal.